If you have become a Master Gardener through the Iowa State University Extension Service's program, you are invited to meet with us each month! We are meeting on the "third Thursday," at the Jefferson County Extension Office, 2606 West Burlington Ave., Fairfield, Iowa. This blog will include information about both community service and educational opportunities as they become available.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

DEAR IRIS Gardening ... with chocolate?

Rodgersia 'Chocolate Wings

By Kathy Tollenaere, Master Gardener. | Aug 23, 2012

Have you ever heard of the Chocolate
Flower - Berlandiera lyrata? A couple of summers ago, my sister,
sister-in-law and I visited a nursery near Swaledale, Iowa, and we each
walked out to the car with a plant! It was described as an exotic
annual. This is how I treated it, but after reading the information from
BHG, I see I could have mulched it to see if it would return. And, I
see, it might have been the perfect plant to endure both last year’s and
this year’s drought conditions!
Plant Encyclopedia at BHG.com states: “You’ll be searching for a
chocolate bar after catching a whiff of chocolate flower. A fragrant
North American native perennial, chocolate flower blooms with gusto
nearly year-round in warm climates and from May to October cool-climate
regions. Its small daisy-shape flowers exude a fresh-baked-brownie
fragrance. At home in meadows, wildflower gardens, and beds and borders,
chocolate flower grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It
prefers slightly dry soil and will flop over if the soil is too moist or
rich with nutrients.
“Note: While chocolate flower is hardy, gardeners in the Midwest,
Northeast, or Northwest may have trouble overwintering this plant if it
stays too moist and rots.
Light: Sun, Part Sun; Zones: 4-10; Plant Type: Perennial; Plant Height: To 2 feet tall;
Plant Width: To 2 feet wide; Flower Color: Yellow/Gold; Bloom Time: Spring, Summer, Fall;
Landscape Uses: Containers, Beds & Borders, Slopes; Special Features: Flowers, Fragrant; Drought Tolerant”
Have you ever heard of Chocolate Cosmos - Cosmos atrosanguineus?
The Garden Helper.com states: “Dark maroon flowers appear on wiry
18-inch stems from June until frost and produce a pleasant chocolate
scent, especially on warm evenings.
“Growing Requirements for Chocolate Cosmos Plants: The Chocolate
Cosmos plant is a tuberous perennial that is hardy in USDA zones 7-10,
but with excellent drainage and heavy winter mulching it will often
survive the winters in zone 6.”
This description tells me I should plant this cosmos as an attractive
annual. I’m sure it would complement the more common yellow and other
colorful varieties we grow here. However, you’ll note you might try
saving and propagating your own plants with the information below.
“Chocolate Cosmos should be planted in full sun, in rich,
well-draining soil. Apply a good all-purpose fertilizer when new growth
appears and again at mid-season. Always remove the spent flowers
promptly for continued blooms. If you have doubts about the plant’s
survival (through the winter season), you can dig the tuber just as you
would with Dahlias. Once the foliage has died back, carefully dig the
clump, cut the stems back to within 2 inches of the tubers, and store
them in slightly moist peat moss in a frost free place.”
The article continues with information as to its propagation, which
is by division of the tubers. Every tuber must have an eye (as does the
potato) to grow a new plant. Use a sharp, clean knife to carefully
separate the tubers, discarding those that are damaged and/or without an
eye. Place in a bed of sawdust or vermiculite, inside a cardboard or
wooden box, and store in a dry area at a temperature of about 40 degrees
F.
Do remember to check the tubers periodically. Should you see signs of
shriveling, moisten the storage material. If you see signs of mildew,
treat with a dry fungicide. Plant Chocolate Cosmos tubers 6 inches deep
and 12 inches apart in the spring.”
I may place this on my “2013 Wish List” after-all!
How about Chocolate Wings - Rodgersia Rodgersia pinnata?
A chocolate SHADE loving plant? Yep! I planted this particular
Rodgersia in September of 2008. It was in bright to dappled shade, and
in a spot I thought might hold water for awhile following a rainfall, as
it enjoys moist conditions.
It performed pretty well until last year’s drought. I didn’t remember
to keep it watered and the plant didn’t return this spring. However,
I’d really like to give Rodgersia another try!
From chocolate flower farm.com comes the following information: “With
its bold, divided leaves this forms an exotic-looking clump that adds a
unique foliage accent to any moist border. It produces big plumes of
deep-pink flowers in early summer. Leaves begin deep cocoa bronze in
spring, later changing to dark green. Plants prefer a moist, dappled
shade setting, but will grow in full sun at the waterside or any other
constantly moist site. Useful as an architectural specimen plant. Water
during dry weather. USPP: unlicensed propagation prohibited.
“USDA Zone: 4-9; Sun exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade; Early to
mid-summer foliage color: Bronze; Height: 27-35”; Width: 35-39”; Growth
rate: Slow; *Rabbit-resistant.”
Lastly, have you tried cocoa bean hull mulch? It’s not so good in
shady areas due to mold/mildew problems; however you can spread a very
thin layer over the ground, for the chocolate aroma! It is a great mulch
in sunny spots, as it will dry out after a rainfall and/or watering.
Cocoa bean hulls are a rich addition to the soil, as well. They do break
down fairly quickly.
If you’ve been a discouraged gardener again this year, perhaps
something “chocolate” might peak your interest and revive some gardening
spirit!

Public Gardens of Iowa

2012 calendar features 12 public gardens in Iowa, as well as a list of others around the state. Website locations are available. The calendar itself contains gardening tips and ideas. Purchase your copy at the Jefferson County Extension Office.

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About Me

We are a number of gardeners with a variety of interests and expertise, each of whom has achieved (or are working on)their Master Gardener status through study with the Iowa State Extension Service, Ames, Iowa.